Chapter on Freedom
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 3|Book 1|Chapter 51
وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَخِيهِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ عِتْقُ رَقَبَةٍ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ نَسَمَةً أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ شَيْخاً كَبِيراً أَوْ شَابّاً أَجْرَدَ قَالَ "أَعْتَقَ مَنْ أَغْنَى نَفْسَهُ اَلشَّيْخُ اَلْكَبِيرُ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ اَلشَّابِّ اَلْأَجْرَدِ".
It is narrated from Ali bin Ja'far from his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, who said: "I asked him about a man who is obligated to free a slave and intends to emancipate one. Which is better-to free an old man or a young, healthy man?" Imam عليه السلام replied: 'Free the one who is more self-sufficient. The old man is better than the young, healthy (strong) man.' "
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh